Constitutional Right to Vote

Promote Our Vote has played a key role in the introduction of the Right to Vote Amendment, HJ Res. 44, sponsored by Members Keith Ellison and Mark Pocan. Though voting is the most fundamental element of democracy, the United States is the only developed democracy that does not guarantee an affirmative right to vote in its constitution. This critical omission places voting rights at risk of erosion and neglect. It requires individual states to set their own electoral policies and procedures, leading to confusing and sometimes contradictory policies regarding ballot design, polling hours, voting equipment, voter registration requirements, and ex-offender voting rights. As a result, our country’s electoral system is divided into 50 states, more than 3,000 counties, and approximately 13,000 voting districts, all separate and unequal. Passing a Right to Vote Amendment to the Constitution is the best way to guarantee Americans a full right to vote and avoid the disparities in voting rights engendered by leaving voting rights to individual states and local governments. The Amendment would empower Congress to set national minimal electoral standards for all jurisdictions to provide protection against attempts to disenfranchise individual voters. Additionally, the guarantee of a right to vote at the municipal and state level through state constitutions is an invaluable step toward gaining momentum for this federal standard. Local governments, such as a city councils and county commissions, can take the lead to protect and expand voting rights. A local government can pass a resolution calling for a constitutional amendment to guarantee citizens an affirmative right to vote. Cities can also establish a task force on voting rights that promotes suffrage, reviews election reform proposals, and promotes the democratic process.